Article #44: Happy New Year

Every year we celebrate the new year on January 1st. We make new resolutions, give a new beginning for things, wish for best things to happen in that year and even greet our family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, in short everyone a Happy New Year. Not just that, we attend parties, taste some special food items and even lit some crackers in the midnight. 

But most of us tend to forget the fact that Indian New Year’s days vary depending on the region and the calendar. While it is important to celebrate January 1st as the new year, it is equally important to know and acknowledge the new year days across various regions of India. Well, in this article let’s find out the actual new year days celebrated across various states in India and their significance. 

  1. Ugadi/Yugadi -> Ugadi is the new year day for the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana whereas Yugadi is the new year day for the state of Karnataka. Both Ugadi and Yugadi are observed on the first day of the Hindu lunisolar month of chaitra. It usually falls in the month of March or April. The new year is celebrated by drawing Rangoli on the floor, mango leaf decorations on the doors, wearing new clothes, giving charity, special head bath and visiting Hindu temples. But most important tradition on that day is to share a special chutney with all flavors, sweet, sour, salty, biter and spice which means that one must expect all flavors of experiences in the coming new year.  

  1. Sangken -> It is celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh as the new year from 13 to 15 April by the Buddhist communities. The main attraction of the festival is splashing clean water, which is the symbol of peace and purity. The images of Buddha are taken out after the ceremonial bath. The procession is accompanied by drums, dances and enjoyment. The exchange of gifts and sweets is a common trait of the festival. 

  1. Bohag Bihu -> It is celebrated in Assam as the new year. It usually falls in the 2nd week of April, historically signifying the time of harvest. The day unites the different communities of Assam regardless of their backgrounds and promotes the celebration of diversity. 

  1. Jude Sheetal -> It is celebrated as the new year in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand. Also known as Maithili New Year. It usually falls on 14th of April.  

  1. Gudi Padwa -> It is celebrated as the new year in Maharashtra and Goa on the first day of chaitra month according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. The festival is observed with colorful floor decorations called rangoli, a special Gudhi flag (garlanded with flowers, mango and neem leaves, topped with upturned silver or copper vessel), street processions, dancing and festive foods. 

  1. Bestu Varas -> It is celebrated in the state of Gujarat as new year. It starts on Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Kartik month. This day is celebrated with immense joy, happiness, and enthusiasm in the entire state of Gujarat. Diwali in Gujarat marks the advent of the New Year. Gujarati New Year is celebrated a day after Diwali. 

  1. Baisakhi -> It is celebrated as the new year in the state of Punjab. It is traditionally observed on 13 or 14 April every year. Vaisakhi is a harvest festival for people of the Punjab region. In the Punjab, Vaisakhi marks the ripening of the rabi harvest. This day is observed as a thanksgiving day by farmers whereby farmers pay their tribute, thanking God for the abundant harvest and also praying for future prosperity 

  1. Vishu -> It is celebrated as the new year in the state of Kerala. Vishu festival marks the beginning of harvest in the bountiful land of Kerala. It is a festival full of lights and fireworks. The day starts with an arranging harvest's fruits, vegetables and seasonal flowers in front of a mirror. This arrangement is called the Vishu Kani. On this day, devotees also visit Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple and Guruvayur Krishna temple for prayers. 

  1. Sajibu Nongma Panba -> It is celebrated as the new year in the state of Manipur. It usually falls in the month of April in the western calendar. Sajibu Nongma Panba is celebrated by the Meetei people, the majority ethnic group in Manipur. The festival is intended to strengthen the bond of love and brotherhood among family members. On this day, people arrange a joint family feast in which traditional cuisines are offered to local deities at the entrance gates of the houses. 

  1. Maha Visubha Sankranti -> It is celebrated as the new year in the state of Odisha. The pana sankranti or the Odia new year marks the introduction of new panjika (Odia almanac). As per rituals the panjika is offered to Lord Jagannath. On the day the Odia people celebrate by drinking pana, a sweet-sour drink made with wood apple. 

  1. Losoong -> It is celebrated as the new year in the state of Sikkim. Losoong is also known as ‘Sonam Losar’ the farmer’s new year, Chham dance is one of the major attractions of the festival. 

  1. Puthandu -> It is celebrated as the new year in the state of Tamil Nadu and the UT of Puducherry. It falls on either 13th or 14th of April every year. The main food of this festival is Mangai Pachadi, made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem. 

  1. Buisu -> It is celebrated as the new year in the state of Tripura. Buisu falls on the last day of chaitra of Indian religious calendar, which falls on 13th of April in Gregorian and on 14th in the leap year. The festival of buisu is celebrated in two days, first day is hari buisu meaning buisu for animals, and second day is maha buisu or grand buisu. 

  1. Bikhoti -> It is celebrated as the new year in the state of Uttarakhand. It usually falls on the first day of vaishakh month. On this day, Infants are treated and protected against diseases by performing various methods of acupuncture on them. It is a tradition to have non vegetarian dishes and people enjoy with great joy. 

  1. Pohela Boishakh -> It is celebrated as the new year in the state of West Bengal. You will witness cultural celebrations all over the state, with Bengalis going on a crazy shopping spree and musical shows. Santiniketan is well known for its Noboborsho (New Year) festivals. 

  1. Navreh -> It is celebrated as the new year in Kashmir. Kashmiri Pandits celebrate their New Year's Day on the first day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra (Mar–Apr). On the eve of Navreh, a platter of unhusked rice with a bread, a cup of curd, a little salt, a little sugar candy, a few walnuts or almonds, a silver coin, a pen, a mirror, some flowers (rose, marigold, crocus, or jasmine) and the new panchanga or almanac is kept and seen as the first thing on waking up in the morning. 

  1. Losar -> It is celebrated as the new year in Ladakh. During this two-week-long festival, people visit their relatives and friends. The first three days are considered the most important ones when people also visit monasteries to make offerings and seek blessings. Ladakhis from all religions celebrate this festival with full fervor. 

All and All, I would say let’s wish a happy new year not just on 1st of January, but also on the other new year days being a proud Indian. That is what we call Unity in Diversity.

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